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IS 4348 (1973): Methods of test for determination of

permeability of natural building stones [CED 6: Stones]

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Indian Standard

( Reaffirmed 2003 )

METHODS OF TEST
FOR DETERMINATION OF PERMEABILITY
OF NATURAL BUILDING STONES

( First Revision)
-\

First Reprint MARCH

.a

691,21:620.193.19

UDC

BUREAU
MANAK

Gr 3

OF
BHAvAN,

1989

INDIAN

STANDARDS

9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MAR0

NEW DELHI 119002

March

1974

lS:4S48-1913

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST
FOR DETERMINATION OF PERMEABILITY
OF NATURAL BUILDING STONES

( First Revision)
Stones

Chairman
SARI C. B. L. MATHUB

Sectional Committee,

BDC

RePresenting
.Public
Works
Department,
Rajasthan, Jaipur

Government

of

Members
Ssm1K.K.
AGISAWALA
SEBI K. K. MADHOK
SHRI T. N. BHA~~AVA

Builders Association of India, Bombay

( Altermate)
Ministry
of Parliamentary
Affairs, Shipping
-_
_
Transport
Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
National Test House, Calcutta

&

CHIEF AECH~TECT
LALA G. C. DAS
SHRI P. R. DAM ( Alternate )
Public Works Department,
Government of Kerala,
DXPUTY
CHIEF E~QINEEB
Trivandrum
(B&R)
Government of Orissa,
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( RESEARCH ) , Public Works Department,
Cuttack
&xTBOL
8t RE SE AR 0 H
LABOBATOBY
Central Road Research Institute (CSIR ), New Delhi
DB M. P. Drtra
SHBI R. L. NANDA ( Ahmute )
Central Water & Power Commission, New Delhi
DIBECTOB ( CSMRS )
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( CSMRS ) ( Alternate)
Building & Communication
Department,
Govern&BECTOR, MERI
ment of Maharashtra. BombavI
RESEAIZOH OFFIOE~, MERI (Alternate)
E N o I N E E n Public Works Department,
Government
of Uttar
ExEOtJTIVE
Pradesh, Lucknow
(RESEARCH )
Himalayan Tiles and Marble Pvt Ltd, Bombay
SH~I M. K. GTJPTA
SHRI S. D. PATEAK ( Alternate )
Engineering Research Laboratory,
Government
of
Da IQBAL ALI
Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
SHRI A. B. LIN~AM ( Alternate )
$ he Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, Bombay
SHRI D. G. KADKADE
SHRI V. B. DESAI ( Alternate )

( Continued on fiage 2)

@ Copyright 1974
BUREAU
OF
INDIAN
STANDARDS
This publicarron is protected under the Indian Copyright Act, ( XIV of, 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permuston of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS : 4348- 1973
( Continued from page 1)
Rspssanting

Members
SHRI T. R. MEEANDRU
SHRI MOEINDERJIT SINQH
SHRI S. R. NAIR
SERI PBEM SWARUP

Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta

Messrs Stonco, Delhi
Directorate General Border Roads, New Delhi
Department of Geology & Mining, Government
Uttar Pradesh

of

SHRI A. K. AQARWAL ( Altsraate )

Directorate General of Mines Safety (Ministry of
SERI S. N. RAMAXATEA~ .
Lahour & Rehabilitation ), Dhanbad
SHRI M. MAEATO ( Altermtc)
National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
DR A. V. R. RAO
DIRECITOR
DEPUTY
( MATERIALS ) ( Altsrnntc )
Department of Geology and Mining, Government of
SHRI M. L. SETIII
Rajasthan, Jaipur
SERI Y. N. DAVE ( Alternuts )
Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
DR B. N. SINEA
Government of Madhya
S~JPERII~TE~DINQ EN a I N E E R Public Works Department,
Pradesh, Bhopal
C$T;;L
PXOJECT
(C)
t5
ENQINE
EB
Ex~ouTrvE
( DJ~JIQN~) ( Af&mUh )
Government of Mysore,
SUPERINTENDIHQ E N Q I N E E R Public Works Department,
Bangalore
( DESIQNS )
Government of Tamil
SUPWIXTENDINQ E N Q I N E E R Public Works Department,
Nadu , Madras
( DE~IQNS & MARINE WORXS)
DEPUTY Caxnv
ENQINEER
(I&D)
(Afraats)
SUPERINTENDINQ E N Q I N E E R Public Works De artment, Government of Andhra
Pradesh, Hy 1 erabad
( DEIXQN & PLANNINO-)
Government
of West
SVPERINTENDINO E N Q I N E E R Public Works Department,
Bengal, Calcutta
( PLANNINQ CIRCLE )
Government of Assam,
SVPERINTENDINQ E N Q I N E E R Public Works Department,
Gauhati
( R & B ), GAUHATI CIRCLE
SIJPERINT~XUDINQSURVEYOR OP Public Works Department, Government of Himachal
Pradesh, Simla
WORKS. __
___
Engineer-in-Chiefs
Branch ( Ministry of Defence )
SHRI M.Y. YOQI
SERI K. N. SU~HA RAO ( Alternate)
Director General, IS1 ( Ex-o&cio Mtmbsr)
SERID. AJITEA SIMHA,
Director ( Civ Engg )

SHRI K. M. MATHUR
Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI

18:4348-1973

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST
FOR DETERMINATION OF PERMEABILITY
OF NATURAL BUILDING STONES

( First Revision)
0.

FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 12 October 1973, after the draft finalized by the
Stones Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering
Division Council.
0.2 Permeability of stone is of particular importance in structures which
are intended to retain water or which are subjected to the action of high
water pressure. Besides functional considerations, permeability is also
intimately related to the durability of stone, specially its resistance against
progressive deterioration under exposure to severe climate, and leaching
The determination of the permeability
t due to prolonged seepage of water.
characteristics of stone, therefore, assumes considerable importance.
This standard was published in 1967. The revision has been prepared
with a view to reviewing its provision in regard to pressure to which the
permeability is to be tested, besides making it up-to-date.
0.3 In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with
this standard, if the final value, observed or calculated, is to be rounded
off, it shall be done in accordance with IS : 2-1960*.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers the method for determining the permeability of
natural building stones.
2. SELECTION

OF SAMPLE

2.1 The sample shall be selected to represent a true average of the type or
grade of stone under consideration.
*R&a for roundingoif nun-.ericalvalues ( revised).
3

ISr4348- 1913
2.2 The sample shall be selected by the purchaser or his authorized
representative from the quarried stone or taken from the natural rock, as
described in 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 and shall be of adequate size to permit the
preparation of the requisite number of test pieces.
2.2.1 Stones from Ledges or Quarries-The
ledge or quarry face of the
stone shall be inspected to determine any variation in different strata.
Separate
Differences in colour, texture and structure shall be observed.
samples of stone weighing at least 25 kg each of the specimens shall be
obtained from all strata that appear to vary in colour, texture and
structure. Pieces that have been damaged by blasting, driving wedges,
heating, etc, shall not be included in the sample.
2.2.2 Field Stone and Boulders-A
detailed inspection of the stone and
boulders over the area where the supply is to be obtained shall be made.
The different kinds of stone and their condition at various quarry sites
shall be recorded.
Separate samples for e&h class of stone that would
be considered for use in construction as indicated by visual inspection
shall be selected.
2.3 When perceptible variations occur in the quality of rock, the purchaser
shall select as many samples as are necessary for determining the range in
properties.
3. APPARATUS
3.1 Permeability Cell-The
permeability cell shall consist of a metal
cylinder with a ledge at the bottom for retaining the specimen, a flange at
the top, a removable cover plate and a sheet metal funnel which can be
securely bolted to the cell.
Gunmetal or other suitable corrosion
r.esistant metal shall be used for fabrication of the cell and cover platy
which shall be designed to safely withstand the maximum test pressure.
A rubber or neoprene O-ring or other suitable gasket, seated in matching
grooves, shall be used between the cell and the cover plate to render the
Typical details of the permeability cell together with
joint water-tight.
pertinent dimensions for use with test specimens of 100 mm diameter are
shown in Fig. 1.
3.2 Water Reservoir-A
suitable reservoir may consist of a length of
metal pipe, 50 to 100 mm in diameter and about 500 mm long. The
reservoir shall be fitted with a graduated side arm gauge-glass, and the
necessary fittings and valves for admitting water and compressed air and
for draining, bleeding and connection to the permeability cell, as shown
in Fig. 2.
NOTE - The choice of reservoir dimensions is necessarily a matter of compromise
between the accuracy with which the water entering the specimen can be meastired
The ideal combination would be the smallest
and the adequacy of the capacity.
diameter and sufficient length to provide a capacity for at least 24 hours of continuous
operatiort.
Lengths greater than about 500 mm may be difficult to handle.
-

lsc4348-1973
THREADED
CONNECTING

/TO

WATER

NIPPLE
FOR
TO DRAIN COCK

RESERVOIR

PLAN
v--v& I

COVER PLATE WITH

SLOPING
BOTTOM

SPECIMEN

CELL
CLAMPING

ET

SECTION XX
All dimensions
FIG. 1

METAL

RING

FUNNEL

in millimetres.

PERMEABILITY
CELL

3.3 Pressure Lines -Heavy

duty armoured rubber hose or suitable
metal tubing or any other equally suitable hose or pipe shall be used for
the various high pressure connections.
All joints shall be properly made
to render them leakproof.
4. ACCESSORIES
4.1 Supply of Compressed AirSuitable arrangements shall be made
for supplying compressed air at the relevant pressure (see 6) to the
permeability cell assemblies. Compressed air cylinders or alternatively a
compressor of adequate capacity may be used. Suitable and sensitive
regulating valves for holding the pressure within f 2 percent range of the
pressure set at initially on the setup and the companion pressure gauge of
nearly same sensitivity shall be provided.
Several cells at different
operating pressures may be served by a common source as shown in Fig. 2.
5

COMPRESSED
AIR -

*a

AIR BLEEDER

PRESSURE
REGULATOR AND GAUGE

WATER

VALVE
TO OTHER

CELL

INLET -)

GRADUATED

GAUGE GLASS

(WITH SAFETY SHIELD)

WATER

RESERVOIR

SHUT-OFF

PERMEABILITY

VALVE

CELL

TO COLLECTION
FIG. 2

ARRANGEMENT

BOTTLE

FOR CONDUCTING

PERMEABILITY TEST

IS:434s-1973
4.2 Supply of De-aired WaterAn adequate supply of clean de-aired
water shall bs available for use in the permeability tests. Water may be
easily de-aired for this purpose by boiling and cooling.
be-aired water
may be stored in closed containers, which should, as far as possible, be
kept full. Unnecessary agitations and contact with air shall be avoided.
5. TEST SPECIMENS
5.1 Size of Specimens-The
specimens shall be cylindrical in shape
Three test specimens shallconsti100 mm long and 100 mm in diameter.
tule a set.
5.2 The specimens shall be cut from the samples with core drills or in any
other way which will not induce incipient fracture, but shall not be chipped
After cutting, the ends of the specimens
or broken off with a hammer.
shall be ground plane with water and carborunder or emery, on a cast
iron lap until the cylinders are of the size mentioned in 5.1. The
specimen shall be cut with the axis at right angles to the planes of stratitication . Wherever possible, polishing of drilled cores should be done by
electrical polishing machines for efficient and quick polishing.
5.3 The ends of the cylinders shall be plane surfaces at right angles to the
axis of the cylinder.
6. PRESSURE HEAD
6.1 The standard test pressure head to be applied to the water in the
reservoir should be 11 times the hydraulic head to which the stones under
test will be actually subjected.
7. PROCEDURE
7.1 Calibrating the ReservoirEach reservoir shall be calibrated
under 110 times the actual pressure to 09 times the actual pressure.
7.1.1 With the reservoir drain-cock and the shut-off valve between the
reservoir and the cell closed, and with the air bleeder valve shut, the
reservoir shall be filled with water.
The reservoir drain-cock shall
then be opened to flush out any air and closed again. The reservoir shall
be refilled to a point above the zero mark of the gauge-glass scale; the
bleeder valve shall be closed and the desired air pressure applied.
The
drain-cock shall be carefully opened to bring the water to the zero mark
and quickly closed. Water shall then be drawn off and caught in 250 ml
increments in a graduated jar and the level in the gauge-glass read on the
scale. The calibration constant for the reservoir shallbe expressed in
millilitres per division of the scale.
7

ISt43al-1973
7.2 Sealing

the Specimen -The

specimen
shall be surface-dried
and
the dimensions
measured to the nearest 05 mm. It shall then be centred
in the cell, with the lower end resting on the ledge*.
.The annullar
space
between the specimen and the cell shall be tightly caulked to a depth of
about 10 mm using a cotton or hemp cord soaked in a suitable molten
The rest of the space shall be carefully filled with the
sealing compound.
molten sealing compound,
level with the top of the s ecimen.
Any drop
in the level due to cooling shall be made up, using a fl eated rod to remelt
the solidified compound
before pourin
fresh material over it. A mixture
of 3 parts of resin and 5 parts of paraffi n wax by mass is one which may
be used for effective seal.

7.3 Testing the Seal - It is essential that the seal is watertight,

This
may be checked very conveniently
by bolting on the top cover plate,
inverting
the cell and applying
an air pressure of 1 to 2 kgfbm from
below.
A little water poured on the exposed face of the specimen ir used
to detect any leaks through
the seal which would show up aa bubbles
In case of leaks the specimen
shalL be taken out tid
along the ledge.
resealed.
7.4 Assembling
the Apparatus-After
a ratirfactoty teal har been
obtained,
the funnel shall be secured in position and the cell asrembly
connected
to the water reservoir,
as illustrated
in Fig. 2. With the
air-bleeder
valve, the valve between the reservoir and the cell, and the
drain-cock
in the cell open, de-aired
water shall be allowed to enter the
reservoir.
When water issues freely through the drain-cock,
it shall be
closed and the water reservoir filled.
The reservoir water inlet and air
bleeder valves shall then be closed.
7.5 Running the Test-With
the system completely
filled with water,
the desired test pressure (see 6) shalI be applied to the water reservoir
and the initial reading of the gauge-glass recorded.
At the same time a
clean collection
bottle shall be weighed and placed in position to collect
the water percolating
through the specimen.
The quantity
of percolate
and the gauge-glass readings shall be recorded at periodic intervals.
In
the beginning,
the rate of intake is larger than the rate of outflow.
As
the point of steady state of flow is reached, the two rates tend to become
equal and the outflow reaches a maximum
and stabilizes.
With further
passage of time, both the inflow and outflow generally register a gradual
drop.
Permeability
test shall be continued
for about 100 hours after the
steady state of flow has been reached and the outflow shall be considered
as average of all the outflows measured during this period of 100 hours.
in which the rate8 of
NOTE- The steady state of flow is defined as the condition
inflow and outflow of water are equal.
The point of qteady state is defined a& the
time at which thir condition is first reached.
*For getting a pood perfect seal, preheating
of the cylinder at low temperature
of 30-3SC for 24 to 30 hours ia recommended
before test specimen is centred.

7.6 Test

Temperature-The

a temperature of 27 f 3C.

test shall preferably

be carried out at

7.7 Precautions-There
are several precautions which shall be observed,
before any dependable estimate of permeability can be obtained from the
test data, of these the most important are as follows:
4 The seal around the specimen shall be effective. Leakage through
it can give rise to entirely misleading results. Obtaining a good
seal is a matter of experience and only a general guidance can be
provided.
b) It is important that the air content of the water entering the
specimen should not exceed about 02 percent. Excessive amounts
of dissolved air can result in air locks in the specimen and
apparent reduction in permeability.
Periodical samples shall be
drawn from the cell drain-cock and the dissolved air determined.
The system shall be drained and replenished with fresh de-aired
water, as soon as the air content- exceeds the above limit.
The
flow should be permitted to attain the steady state before the
4
coefficient of permeability is calculated.
Examination of the
inflow and outflow rate data or suitable graphs of the same may
be used to determine the establishment of the steady state.

The observation of outflow from the specimen is liable to be

influenced by evaporation of the percolate during collection.
The collection bottle may be housed in a humid chamber, or alter
natively, blank observations on a similar bottle containing water
should be made and the necessary correction for evaporation
loss applied.
The inflow measurement provides an additional
check.

a CALCULATION
al

The quantity percolating in the steady period indicates an equilibrium state. Computation of coefficient of permeability shall be based
on this rate.
.

8.2 The coefficient of permeability shall be calculated from the following

formula:

where
XI coetIicient of permeability in cm/set;
Q-quantity
of water in millilitres percolating over the entire
period of test after the steady state has been reached;
9

lst4348-1973
A = area of the specimen
7 = time in seconds

face in ems;

over which

Qis measured;

H
= ratio of the pressure head to thickness
L
expressed in the same units.

and

of specimen,

both

9. REPORT
9.1 The following
specimen:

information

a) Identification
b) Duration

shall

be included

in the report

on each

mark of the specimen,

of test,

c) Size of specimen,
d) Test pressure,
e) Test temperature,
f)

Coefficient

g) Corrected

of permeability
coefficient

of

at test temperature,
permeability

at standard

temperature,

and
h) Whether
permeability
what rate.

increased

10

or decreased

with

time

and at

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STANDARDS

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